"And win and win and win... and win again, and win and win...". That was Luis Aragonés' mentality before every match played by the Spanish national football team, regardless of whether the circumstances were adverse or the goddess of fortune was not on their side. A winning leader for a historic team.
Well, speaking of another historic team like the Socialist Party and the analysis of the results of the last general elections, let's apply the same mentality. In this sense, despite the efforts of the thousands of members and supporters, always giving their best in the campaign, last June 26 we did not win. We were second, avoiding the overtake, it is true; in second elections that could have been avoided, too; and improving results in some locations such as Lanzarote, of course, but far from our goal and what Spain, the Canary Islands and Lanzarote need: a winning PSOE, with the capacity to govern our country or add a socialist senator for Lanzarote.
This justifies a period of reflection to identify the causes and find the remedies. Essential work, because the PSOE cannot and should not settle for being only the leader of the left or the second of the national parties. The aspiration, because of our history, because of our record of service to the country and because of our values, is to win in order to improve the quality of life of citizens from the Government.
And winning involves taking advantage of the upcoming party congresses, from the national to the local, to give the organization a new organic impulse that will allow it to face the new political era with guarantees of success. For this to be the case, we need a renewed and inclusive project in which we all pull together, from the grassroots membership, our greatest asset, to the highest institutional or organic position, from the veteran to the novice, from this or that family, each with their effort and conviction, we must turn the PSOE into the first option in society.
And winning is fundamentally focusing on the issues that mark the public agenda. Occupying ourselves day, afternoon and night, with the problems that concern our fellow citizens, positioning ourselves quickly and clearly on each of the issues. A young socialist recently told me that he had joined to talk about education, health or the lack of job opportunities, concrete problems that affect us and require a response, not to be an expert in statutes. How right! The success of the party lies in conceiving each social need as an opportunity to propose a solution, dedicating less time to our internal issues.
And winning requires being aware that we are in a collective project where nothing and no one is above the common project represented by the PSOE acronym, regardless of the position held or the years of membership. Of course, choosing our Executives, Committees and General Secretaries well is fundamental, but more important is taking advantage of the enormous potential that the group of socialist men and women present. Without distinction and with the fraternity of those who, having varied opinions and aspirations, are companions.
And we must win again, to repeat the achievements of past socialist governments in which our action, as the first party in the country, allowed us to build the Welfare State, universalize rights, conquer new freedoms; with a trajectory of which we feel proud and where the lights are infinitely greater than the shadows, but which is insufficient to regain the confidence lost by many voters. They ask us for more, much more, and we must feel fortunate for this degree of demand that forces us to improve every day.
And when we win, soon if we do things well, know that no vote is forever. Only from good management and the exemplary nature that citizens expect, will we be able to revalidate confidence every four years. Because this is the only possible way to have a winning PSOE again that fulfills the desires and hopes of a social majority that awaits us.
*Marcos Bergaz, member of the Cabildo and PSOE member.
